Speak like a Pilot!
Practice using pilot radio phrases and the phonetic alphabet, role-play air traffic communication with a friend, and record a mock flight announcement.
Step-by-step guide to Speak like a Pilot!
Step 1
Gather all your materials and find a comfy spot to work.
Step 2
On one sheet write the full phonetic alphabet from A to Z with each word next to its letter (Alpha Bravo Charlie etc.).
Step 3
Cut or fold small cards from paper and write one pilot radio phrase on each card (for example This is [Callsign] Request taxi Ready for departure).
Step 4
Invent a fun callsign for your plane and write it big and colorful on a separate paper badge.
Step 5
Draw a simple runway and map of your airport showing start and destination on another sheet.
Step 6
Pick ten letters and say them out loud using their phonetic words while looking at your phonetic sheet.
Step 7
Ask your friend to be the air traffic controller while you stay the pilot.
Step 8
Have the controller read a clearance using one of the radio phrase cards and the phonetic alphabet for your callsign.
Step 9
Respond as the pilot using the phonetic alphabet and a radio phrase to confirm the clearance.
Step 10
Swap roles so you can try being the controller and use at least three radio phrases in a second mock exchange.
Step 11
Record a short mock flight announcement that says your callsign departure destination and planned altitude using the phonetic alphabet.
Step 12
Play back your recording and choose one thing to improve for next time.
Step 13
Share your finished mock flight announcement and photos of your setup on DIY.org.
Help!?
What can I use if I don't have index cards, colored markers, or a separate recorder?
Cut small cards from printer paper or cereal boxes for the radio phrase cards, decorate your callsign badge with crayons or stickers, and use a smartphone voice memo app and camera to record and photograph your setup.
I'm nervous and keep stumbling when the controller reads a clearance—what can I do?
Keep your phonetic sheet open in front of you, ask the controller to read a radio phrase card slowly or repeat it, and re-record the mock flight announcement until the playback sounds clear.
How can I change the activity for different ages or skill levels?
For younger kids use picture-supported phonetic labels and only a few radio phrase cards, for school-age kids follow the full ten-letter reading and role swaps, and for older kids add timed checklists and longer recorded announcements with altitude and destination on the runway map.
How can we extend or personalize the Speak like a Pilot! activity?
Make a colorful laminated callsign badge, add LED tea lights or drawn lights to the runway map, layer in engine sounds on your phone under the final recording, and upload the polished announcement and photos to DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to Speak like a Pilot!
How pilots communicate with Air Traffic Control | Cockpit Tales | KLM
4 Videos
How pilots communicate with Air Traffic Control | Cockpit Tales | KLM
How Do Pilots Communicate With Air Traffic Control During A Precautionary Landing?
ATC Communications and Radio Basics | Talking to Air Traffic Control 1
How To Talk To Air Traffic Control | ATC Radio Basics for Pilots
Facts about pilot radio communication and the phonetic alphabet
✈️ The ICAO phonetic alphabet uses 26 code words (Alpha to Zulu) so letters don't get mixed up over noisy radios.
🎧 "Roger" means "I received the message" and "Wilco" means "Will comply" — two radio favorites that save time.
📡 VHF aviation radio is line-of-sight, so the higher the aircraft flies, the farther its radio can be heard.
⏱️ Pilots use "Zulu" time (UTC) so everyone around the world knows exactly when a flight event happened.
🎙️ Air traffic control phraseology is strict and standardized so pilots from different countries can safely talk to each other.
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